Gauteng Leads Vodacom South Africa's E-Waste Recycling Challenge

Gauteng recorded the highest participation in Vodacom South Africa's Turn Your E-Waste into Rewards Challenge, highlighting consumer uptake of e-waste recycling when collection is convenient and accessible.

Delivered in partnership with Circular Energy NPC, the challenge collected more than 2,270 kilograms of electronic waste through 114 home collections across eight provinces. The initiative was designed to keep unwanted electronics out of landfill while encouraging consumers to adopt more responsible disposal habits. Gauteng accounted for more than 1,330kg of the collected e-waste, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 609.8kg and the Western Cape with 307kg.

The results point to the potential for accessible collection services to increase participation in responsible e-waste disposal.

South Africa generates 530 million kilograms of e-waste annually

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor, South Africa generates an estimated 530 million kilograms of e-waste each year, equivalent to almost eight kilograms per person.

A significant amount of this waste remains stored in homes or is disposed of incorrectly. Electronic devices contain materials that can be recovered and reused when they are processed through appropriate recycling systems.

The challenge sought to address this gap by allowing consumers to schedule free home collections for unwanted electronic devices.

Vodacom and Circular Energy expand collection access

The competition forms part of Vodacom's ongoing partnership with Circular Energy to make e-waste recycling more accessible through home collection services.  Takalani Netshitenzhe, Director: External Affairs at Vodacom South Africa, said the results showed that consumers are more likely to adopt sustainable disposal practices when the process is straightforward.

“Collecting more than 2.2 tonnes of e-waste through just 114 home collections shows that convenience and collaboration can play a powerful role in changing consumer behaviour,” said Netshitenzhe.

She added that the partnership supports Vodacom's circular economy strategy by helping customers recycle old mobile phones and tablets while keeping materials in use for longer.

Patricia Schröder, CEO of Circular Energy, said the campaign demonstrated the importance of convenient collection services in increasing participation in e-waste recycling.

She said partnerships between businesses and recycling organisations can help divert electronic waste from landfill, recover valuable materials and support compliance with South Africa's Extended Producer Responsibility regulations.

Vodacom expands its circular economy strategy

The initiative builds on the partnership between Vodacom and Circular Energy announced in 2024, which aims to strengthen South Africa's e-waste management ecosystem through improved collection, recovery and recycling. Vodacom is also using its broader circular economy strategy to extend the lifespan of devices and reduce electronic waste.

Its RedLovesGreen programme allows customers to repair, refurbish, resell or responsibly recycle devices. The company is also working to reuse, resell or recycle network equipment as part of its efforts to support South Africa's green economy.